Supervisors of Midwives

About Us

Supervisors of Midwives protect the public through the support
of safe midwifery practice. We aim to ensure that mothers and
families receive guidance and information about the right type of
care, in the right place. We are perceived as leaders of the
profession and are role models to midwives, guiding and supporting
them to help to develop their skills and expertise.

We are experienced, practising midwives who have additional
training. We are appointed to the Local Supervising Authority and
independent of the Trust. Our team in Chester includes midwives
working in a wide range of practice areas.

Supervisors of Midwives monitor the practice of midwives to
ensure that mothers and babies receive good quality, safe care.
They also help to further develop the local service in response to
service need and user feedback.

Midwives should support mothers throughout their maternity care:
if issues arise or you have any concerns about your care, you
and/or your midwife may contact a Supervisor of Midwives.

Discussing any concerns with a Supervisor of Midwives does not
prevent you from using the formal complaints procedure of the NHS
Trust should you wish to do so.

Our Role

The supervision of midwives is a legal professional requirement
for midwives. Supervisors are accountable to the Local Supervising
Authority which is independent from the NHS trust in which they
work. In this area Supervisors of Midwives are accountable to the
North West Local Supervising Authority. Their web address
is:

In all regions of England there is an LSA Midwifery Officer
(LSAMO) an experienced practising midwife who ensures that
supervision of midwives is carried out to a satisfactory standard
for all midwives in their area. They have a professional leadership
role. This enables them in an impartial way to provide expert
advice on professional matters such as the supervision of midwives,
midwifery practice and maternity services in general. They also
appoint the Supervisors of Midwives.

All midwives meet regularly with a Supervisor of Midwives, and
develop a good working relationship with them to enhance the
standard of care provided for mothers and babies. Supervisors
challenge inferior practice and work to maintain a good standard of
midwifery.

How We Help

We can listen to any concerns you may have about your maternity
care and take action if it is felt to be appropriate.

We can support you and your midwife to plan your pregnancy care
and plan for the birth of your baby.

We can discuss with you the most appropriate choices for you
and your baby.

We can help to resolve any disagreements about your maternity
care in an unbiased and impartial manner.

We can talk to you if you are unhappy about your birth outcome
or treatment.

We investigate incidents, and formulate development plans if
needed, for midwives.

Contact Us

Supervisors of Midwives can be contacted 24 hours a day seven
days a week via the hospital switchboard on 01244 365000. For
non-urgent discussions weekday daytime contact would be
appreciated.

Should you wish to contact a supervisor of midwives via email
our address is:

This account is checked weekly so please bear in mind that it
may take up to two weeks before you receive a reply as all of our
supervisors carry out this role in addition to their usual
responsibilities.

One of us is always available to provide support, advice and
guidance to mothers, families and midwives. Mothers might want to
contact us to talk about the standard of care they have received
from their midwife or to discuss their choices if they have not
felt supported. Midwives may want to contact us for professional
advice and guidance.